Tributes have been paid to a Co Antrim GAA coach described by his club as a gentleman who "dedicated his life" to his players, following his sudden death.
James McVeigh, a 42-year-old coach at Tír na nÓg GAC in Randalstown, passed away in his sleep on Christmas night at home with family.
A spokesperson for the club told the Irish News that it is suspected James suffered a heart attack.
In a statement, a club committee spokeswoman said: "James was a much-loved member of our community, who lived for GAA and his family, including his nieces and nephews whom he adored.
"He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him."
Passionate about Gaelic games, James previously coached senior camogie at Tír na nÓg, along with the under 21 squad, before becoming joint senior hurling and men's football coach.
In September, James led Tír na nÓg to a victory over Belfast side Rossa in the Antrim Intermediate camogie final.
In a tribute posted to social media yesterday, a Tír na nÓg spokesperson described James as a "dear friend", and spoke of his recent success with the camogie team.
"For the first time in our club history, James helped to deliver a much sought after Intermediate Hurling Championship only months ago," they said.
"We extend our sympathy to James' family circle. We offer our condolences and will do all we can to support you in these challenging times."
They added of James that he was "a gentleman, an Irishman to the core who dedicated his life to his family, Irish culture and Tír na nÓg".
The spokesperson added: "We extend our sympathy to Jim and Louise and to all his family circle. May his noble Irish soul rest with God. We will never forget you."
Antrim hurling captain Conor McCann was among those to post a personal tribute to James yesterday.
In a tweet, he wrote: "If you’re involved in GAA in Antrim and in particular the south west area, you’d have met" or crossed paths with James.
Describing him as a "hard working coach and volunteer", McCann said James had recently congratulated him on leading the Antrim side to victory in the Joe McDonagh Cup final.
"He sent me a message a few weeks ago wishing our team well and was always thinking of others," McCann added.
James, who lived with his mother in Randalstown, was an English and politics teacher for children with learning difficulties when not coaching Gaelic games.
In a post to Facebook, a former pupil said James was "a man who went beyond the role of a teacher and helped so many through so much with his own time and wisdom."
